AZIRA

Remains of 1917 wreck of Norwegian cargo vessel, located 5 miles SE of Sunderland. She foundered following a torpedo attack en route from Newcastle-upon-Tyne for Cherbourg with coal. Constructed of steel in 1907, she was a steam-driven vessel; at the time of loss she was armed and sailing under the British flag, having been requisitioned by the British Shipping Controller under an agreement with the Norwegian authorities. However, vessels requisitioned under this agreement retained their original nationality.

'The wreck lies...in a general depth of 34m, the lowest astronomical depth, some five and a half miles ESE of Seaham Harbour. Her hull and superstructure has collapsed in on herself, but she is still very substantial, standing around 4-5m high. The wreck used to be full of live shell cases but they have been removed. There are lots of large copper pipes, brass valves and a number of portholes that can be seen around the wreck.' (2)

A ship's wheel, 1 x 12lb shellcase and a porthole recovered 8 miles from Hartlepool, position 54 48.05N 001 09.05W. (Droit A/953) (From position given likely to be this site). (8)

Charted as the AZIRA without qualification, in 38m general depth. Surrounding rocky seabed. Dimensions of site 86m x 15m. (9)

Located 5 miles SE of Sunderland. (10)

The wreck is orientated N-S, with the bows to the north. It lies on a seabed of pebbles, mud and sand, in a general depth of 38m (LAT). The wreck is lying to port with a slight collapse in the structure of the first hold. THe port side stands 2-3m clear of the seabed, while the starboard side is collapsed down to the seabed for the full length of the wreck. There is a slight break to the stern section, which used to stand 6-7m clear of the seabed. It has suffered a partial collapse leaving it about 3m clear. (12)

Wreck Event and Documentary Evidence:

'All that was ever seen of the submarine was her periscope. It was not until German records were released after the First World War that the UB-22 was found to be responsible for sinking the AZIRA.' (2)

'Torpedoed and sunk some 6 miles SE from Seaham Harbour by the German submarine UB-22. The ship was proceeding at about 7 knots, when the periscope of the submarine was seen 600 yards away on the port bow. The Mate mistook the periscope for a dan-buoy and proceeded on course, but shortly afterwards the vessel was hit by a torpedo on the port side amidships at 2pm. The track of the torpedo was seen by the tug SS BUREAUCRAT, which was about 100 yards away from the AZIRA at the time. Twelve crew members got away in the boat, only the ship's carpenter being killed. Just as they were leaving the rope painter broke, leaving five men still on board. Four of these were taken off in a boat from the SS ABERLINE, whilst the master was saved by the tug BUREAUCRAT. At no time was the submarine seen during the attack, and the AZIRA sank at 2.25pm.' (3)

A British merchant vessel of 1144 tons torpedoed by a submarine 6 miles SE from Seaham Harbour on 04-AUG-1917. (4)

A British vessel of 1144 tons carrying coal from the Tyne for Cherbourg, sunk by submarine 4.5 miles from Tyne Pier on 04-AUG-1917. (5)

Nationality Norwegian; sunk by German submarine in the North Sea on 08-AUG-1917. (6)

Nationality stated as British. Torpedoed and sunk int he North Sea 6 miles SE from Seaham Harbour by the German submarine UB-22 on 04-AUG-1917, with the loss of one crewman. Voyage Tyne for Cherbourg with coal. (7)

Built as AZIRA for her first owner, temporarily taken over by the Shipping Controller. Torpedoed 6 miles SE of Seaham by UB-22, with the loss of one crewman, on 04-AUG-1917.

The vessel was one of those taken over by the British authorities following negotiations with their Norwegian counterparts. These vessels then sailed under the British flag with a British crew, and were usually armed accordingly. However, such vessels were still retained on the Norwegian ship registers and therefore appear as Norwegian war losses. (11)

On 4 September 1917 the AZIRA was torpedoed off Seaham Harbour by the German submarine UB 22. The steamer was en route from Newcastle to Cherbourg with a cargo of coal and a crew of 18. The AZIRA was 6 miles SE of Seaham Harbour when the first mate on watch saw the periscope of the submarine about 550 metres off the port bow, but he thought it was a DAN buoy marking the safe channel. The ship had only travelled a short distance further when an exploding torpedo rocked her amidships. The crew of the steam tug BUREACRAT, which was only 100 metres away at the time, had already sighted the torpedo heading towards the AZIRA and wasted no time in reaching the stricken vessel. Twelve of the AZIRA's crew got away in a lifeboat, but the rope snapped leaving five of the men stranded. The SS ALBERLINE, which was also close by, launched its lifeboat and successfully rescued four of the men. The master was the last man off the ship. He was taken on board the tug only minutes before the AZIRA foundered. (12)